After I preferred the New Zealand Pinot to the French variety, I was curious to see whether the result would be the same for Germany vs Oregon. Both regions with a great and growing reputation.
However, the tasting got off to the worst possible start. I took the risk of transporting the two bottles in my luggage from Germany to the UK, and of course one exploded, even though it was well wrapped. So then I was desperately searching around a small East Anglian town for a bottle of 2017 German Spätburgunder..you can imagine the looks I got!
In the end it didn’t turn out too badly I have to say, but this wasn’t the end of my problems! Would appreciate your guidance on whether you think one bottle was cooked…details in the comments.
by rob1001-
4 Comments
Key stats:
2019 Jean Stodden Recher Späburgunder, Ahr Valley, Germany. 100% Pinot Noir. Alcohol: 13%.
Ratings: Falstaff: 95/100, Vivino: 3.9/5
Value: 50 GBP paid Dec24
2016 Domaine Drouhin Laurene, Dundee Hills, Oregon.100% Pinot Noir. Alcohol: 13.5%.
Ratings: Parker: 92/100, Suckling: 96/100, Spectator: 92/100, Wine Ehtusiast: 93/100, Vivino: 4.4/5.
Value: 86 EUR paid Feb24
About the vineyards:
Jean Stodden – The Ahr, specialised in German Pinot Noir *Spätburgunder*. The vines come from the Recher Herrenberg hill, a ‘Grosse Lage’. Grey slate soils and steep south facing slopes of up to 60% incline allow for best conditions to capture sunlight. Aged for 17 months in a combination of new and old barriques.
Domaine Drouhin – Burgundy owned Domaine Drouhin situated at the top of the Dundee Hills, this is their flagship Pinot. The idea is to combine great French winemaking with the unique Oregon terroir. Sustainably farmed, hand harvested. Aged in French oak (20% new).
Tasting:
First we started with the Ahr valley wine. Tannins still present, rather dry, smoky wood flavours, but delicious red fruits and an enjoyable finish. Tasted like a more expensive wine, very enjoyable. On the 2^(nd) wine, the Oregon Drouhin, something was immediately wrong. I had noticed leakage on the cork (all the way through) and the wine tasted cooked to me. I am no expert here but there was a strong taste of overcooked plums and a grating, acidic finish. Can anyone with more experience verify?
Verdict:
So a clear winner here, but it was more a loser by default. I’m tending towards just letting both wines go through to the next round and having another crack. Seems it was a cursed tasting from the start!
Without being too dismissive of the Drouhin, Stodden is far far far superior in my opinion.
Germany is about to leapfrog all of the new world in Pinot noir quality in the coming vintages. The past two years have been full of surprises, and they’re just now starting to realize the potential.
Sounds like your drouhin was cooked. I’ve only had a village level drouhin (Gevrey-Cham) and drouhin Dundee hills. I could see what they are attempting with the Oregon pinot. It’s good, just not as good as their burg. The Dundee had all the intangibles, just not the complexity.
As for spat, I was attempting to discover my families heritage through wine and found a vast array of great wine. Fun to explore and can’t wait to do some more.
Opened a bottle of 2016 Domaine Drouhin “Laurène” Pinot Noir in December, and it was absolutely singing. Good concentration, only beginning to show a small amount of tertiary notes. Red cherry, ripe plums, Christmas spices, long finish. This wine will continue to improve for at least 5-10 years.
Your bottle was cooked.